For some Kensington homeowners in retirement, home equity is their largest asset, and a reverse mortgage is one way to turn part of it into cash while staying in the house. It carries real tradeoffs: the balance rises, interest and fees add up, and you must keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and upkeep. Here is a balanced look at the federally insured HECM and what to ask before you apply.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about reverse mortgage in Kensington. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Older homeowners in Kensington
In Kensington, 37% of owner-occupied homes are headed by someone 65 or older, and 43% of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage. 2024 HMDA data for the Capitol Planning Region show 73 reverse mortgages.
How a HECM reverse mortgage works
With a traditional mortgage, you pay the lender each month and your balance falls. With a reverse mortgage, the lender advances money to you, and the balance rises as interest, mortgage insurance and any fees are added. You keep title to the home.
No monthly principal and interest payment is required while at least one borrower lives in the home as a primary residence and meets the loan terms. You may make voluntary payments if you choose. The loan generally becomes due when the last borrower sells, moves out for an extended period or passes away. How much you can access depends on the age of the youngest borrower, the home value and other factors set by HUD and the lender.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Counseling first, then payout choices
Before any lender can take a HECM application, you must meet with a counselor approved by HUD. The session is designed to make sure you understand the loan, its costs and the alternatives. It is your chance to ask hard questions without a sales pitch. Bringing family members can help everyone understand the plan.
Payout options give you flexibility. A line of credit lets you draw only what you need, and unused credit may grow over time under program rules. Monthly advances can supplement retirement income. A single lump sum is also possible but may limit future access. Talk through how each choice interacts with taxes and benefits, and for tax questions talk to a tax professional.
Who this tends to fit
- You would like a line of credit available for future expenses such as home modifications or care at home
- The youngest borrower on title is 62 or older and plans to stay in the home long term
- You want to pay off an existing mortgage to remove a required monthly principal and interest payment
- You are a homeowner aged 62 or older buying a new primary residence through HECM for Purchase
- You can comfortably keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance
Local offices and Connecticut rules to know
Connecticut property tax relief: Connecticut has no general statewide homestead exemption; elderly or totally disabled homeowners who live in their home can apply at their municipal Assessor's Office for the state Homeowners' Elderly/Disabled Circuit Breaker property tax credit.
Your ongoing duties and what happens to the home in Kensington
A reverse mortgage does not relieve you of homeownership costs. You must keep paying property taxes, homeowners insurance and any flood insurance or association dues, and you must maintain the home in reasonable repair. Falling behind on these obligations can put the loan into default and may lead to foreclosure. Lenders review your finances during the application to judge whether you can keep up, and some borrowers are required to set aside funds for taxes and insurance.
When the loan comes due, the home is usually sold to repay it, or heirs may pay it off and keep the property. HECMs are non-recourse loans, so the amount owed generally cannot exceed the home's value at the time it is sold.
Before you call
- Questions about heirs, estate plans and any public benefits you receive
- The current balance and statement for any existing mortgage or lien on the home
- A list of monthly obligations so the lender can review your ability to keep up with home costs
- Income documents such as Social Security, pension and retirement account statements
- Your HUD-approved counseling certificate, or a plan to schedule the session
Questions Kensington borrowers ask about reverse mortgage
What protections exist for a spouse who is not on the loan?
HUD rules provide protections for an eligible non-borrowing spouse, often a spouse who is younger than 62 when the loan closes. If certain conditions are met and the spouse is named in the loan documents, they may be able to stay in the home after the borrower dies, as long as they keep up with taxes, insurance and upkeep. They cannot draw additional funds. Ask the counselor and lender to explain these rules for your situation.
Will a reverse mortgage affect my government benefits?
Loan proceeds are generally not treated as income, but how they interact with needs-based benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income depends on how and when you use the funds. Money kept in a bank account could count as an asset. Social Security and Medicare are generally not affected. Ask your HUD-approved counselor, a benefits specialist or an elder law attorney, and for tax questions talk to a tax professional.
Is reverse mortgage money mine to keep without repaying it?
No. A reverse mortgage is a loan. Interest, mortgage insurance and fees are added to the balance over time, so the amount you owe grows and the equity left in your home shrinks. The loan must be repaid when it comes due, usually through the sale of the home. It can be a useful tool for some homeowners, but it uses up equity that might otherwise go to you later or to your heirs.
What happens to my home when I pass away?
The loan generally becomes due when the last borrower dies or permanently leaves the home. Your heirs can sell the house and keep any proceeds beyond the loan balance, pay off or refinance the loan to keep the property, or turn it over to the lender. Because a HECM is non-recourse, heirs are generally not personally responsible if the home is worth less than the balance owed.
Get answers about reverse mortgage for a home in or around Kensington. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Kensington
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAConstructionRenovation
Reverse Mortgage near Kensington
- Reverse Mortgage in New Britain, CT (3 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Meriden, CT (7 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Middletown, CT (8 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Bristol, CT (9 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Glastonbury Center, CT (10 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Hartford, CT (10 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Cheshire Village, CT (11 mi)
- Reverse Mortgage in Terryville, CT (13 mi)
Related guides
- Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons: What to Know About a HECM
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- Closing Costs Explained
Reverse Mortgage across Connecticut · Reverse Mortgage guide · Connecticut overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Capitol Planning Region